Cambodia Celebrates World Radio Day 2020 to Promote Diversity in Media
UNESCO, in partnership with media stakeholders in Cambodia, commemorated the World Radio Day on 13 February 2020. In cooperation with the Ministry of Information and Women’s Media Center of Cambodia (WMC), and with generous support from the Embassy of Sweden in Cambodia, the celebration aimed to advocate for pluralism in radio, encourage diverse representation in the newsroom, and promote diversity of editorial content and programme types, as a means to strengthen the access to information and media development ecosystem in the country.
The global theme of World Radio Day 2020 is “Radio and Diversity”, which underscores the significance of radio across the globe, in shaping a society’s experience of diversity for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard. Radio is a popular medium around the world to reach out to a wide audience, across various geographical locations, to promote media diversity and facilitate democratic discourse.
In Cambodia, UNESCO worked with WMC to develop bilingual content and a series of radio products, including a vox-pop interview, a mini feature story, spots, and jingles and a live radio show to build public understanding and promote discussions on diversity. The live radio show was produced by inviting various media stakeholders, including radio producers, media organizations, journalists, government representatives, and active radio users to discuss and underline radio’s role in promoting diversity in today’s media landscape. A call-in session was incorporated in the live radio show to offer the public an opportunity to voice their opinions on radio and diversity in the society. The radio products were designed to be interactive in nature to engage different age groups and promote media diversity and access to information in the country.
Throughout the week, promotional posters and radio products were widely disseminated across private, provincial and national radio stations. A three-day social media campaign was held from 11 to 13 February 2020 to enhance public understanding of radio’s role in enabling diverse communities to access and share information. The initiative was commemorated as part of UNESCO’s on-going initiatives to strengthen freedom of expression and access to information ecosystem in Cambodia.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an open letter to mark World Radio Day, recognizing the significant role of private and public radio stations in Cambodia in providing essential information to listeners as well as entertainment. He also noted that, “the community-run stations with the scope of covering their areas also play a key role in developing the community”.
Proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO, and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD).